Aston Villa contest their first-ever knockout fixture in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday, travelling to Hungary to take on Puskás Akadémia (ko 3pm GMT).
Josep Gombau's Young Lions booked their place in the round of 32 with a 15th-placed finish in the league phase, confirmed following a dramatic 4-3 victory over RB Leipzig on Matchday Six in Germany in December.
Villa's under-19s side now look to secure a spot in the last 16 against the Hungarian outfit, with the clash to take place at the scenic Pancho Aréna.
Based in Felcsút on the outskirts of Budapest, Puskás Akadémia progressed through the competition’s Domestic Champions path, with two-legged wins over Aberdeen (Agg: 8-1) and Genk (Agg: 2-2, 6-5 pens).
All round of 32 ties in the UEFA Youth League are one-legged affairs, meaning the game will go straight to penalties if level after 90 minutes.
The previous outing
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Gombau's youngsters secured their place in the last 32 in dramatic fashion on the final matchday of the league phase on December 10, triumphing 4-3 in Germany against RB Leipzig.
Trailing 3-2 as the tie ticked into stoppage time, Villa were just minutes away from elimination. Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba's header in the 93rd minute dragged them level, meaning they would be reliant on other results falling in their favour the following day.
However, three minutes later, things would get even better for the Villans. Mason Cotcher was brought to ground inside the area, and up stepped Ben Broggio to confidently send the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards.
With 97 minutes on the clock, Villa had turned the tie on its head, sparking scenes of jubilation amongst the players as they ensured their journey in the UEFA Youth League would continue.
The form guide
The Villans enter the knockout stages with three wins and three defeats from their six outings in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League.
It was a tricky start to the campaign for the Young Lions, as a 2-1 defeat in Bern to Young Boys in their opener was followed up by a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at Bodymoor Heath, despite a brave performance.
But a visit of Bologna in late October saw them enter their stride, as goals from Mason Cotcher and Ben Broggio (2) secured a 3-1 win and put their first points on the board, before an emphatic 6-2 win at Club Brugge made it back-to-back victories.
A 2-0 defeat at home to Juventus followed, before a dramatic triumph in Leipzig secured their place in the round of 32.
Puskás Akadémia, meanwhile, enter the knockouts having progressed through the competition’s Domestic Champions path.
A 5-1 win in Scotland over Aberdeen one day after Villa's win over Bologna was followed by a 3-0 triumph in Hungary in the return leg, sealing an 8-1 aggregate win.
The third round saw Puskás take a slender 1-0 lead to Belgium for the second leg against Genk, having edged out their opponents in Felcsút at the end of November.
A thrilling second clash ensued on December 17. Genk established a two-goal lead just after the hour mark on the day, but Puskás pulled a goal back to level the tie on aggregate and take it to a penalty shoot-out.
With both sides having had a player dismissed, it was Puskás Akadémia who prevailed 6-5 on spot-kicks, before the round of 32 draw would pit them against Gombau's side.
The venue
A scenic setting, the Pancho Aréna is home to Puskás Akadémia's senior side, who currently sit top of Nemzeti Bajnokság I, the Hungarian top flight.
The 3,865-capacity venue opened its doors in in 2014, and has since hosted Europa League, Champions League and international fixtures.
Pancho Aréna is ranked among UEFA's Elite Stadiums, with the stands featuring a wood-lined, curved interior.
The opposition
Coached by 44-year-old former Hungary youth boss Levente Babó, Puskás Akadémia Under-19s, like the Villans, are battling on more than one front, as they currently sit top of the Hungarian Under-19 1st Division.
They boast an impressive unbeaten league record at present this season, having drawn three and won eight of their 11 outings thus far, averaging over 2.6 goals per game to leave them five points clear at the top of the table. They are looking to win the title for the third-consecutive year.
Forward Kevin Mondovics currently leads the way as far as goals as concerned for Wednesday's hosts, with four already in the UEFA Youth League alone. The 17-year-old has also featured in several first-team matchday squads for Puskás Akadémia this season.
The Hungarians will be well rested heading into the encounter, having not played a competitive fixture since their last UEFA Youth League outing against Genk on December 17.
The coach
Josep Gombau is expecting is tough challenge against Puskás Akadémia, but has again called for his players to relish the experience.
Villa's Under-21 Head Coach has already seen his side face off against various different footballing cultures across a variety of competitions this season.
Despite not having a league phase campaign to draw reference on for Puskás, Gombau insists the team is prepared, and determined to compete.
“It’s a very good experience for all the players and for their futures, to play in these competitions, facing very strong opposition teams. They (Puskás Akadémia) played two knockout stages. We watched all the games, and they are a very good side. I think it doesn’t make any difference if you come from one stage or the other, and for us, it’s like a final. It’s the knockout stage, it’s all or nothing, and we are ready here to do a good game and try to fight for every single ball and win.”
Josep Gombau
